Water Scarcity in Azerbaijan within the Scope of COP29: A Natural Resource Under Threat

Azerbaijan is a country with a strategic location at the intersection of the Middle East and the Caucasus. However, the increasing problem of water scarcity in recent years has become an important problem facing the country. Factors such as climate change, population growth, agricultural irrigation, industrial and urban growth lead to a series of problems that challenge Azerbaijan regarding water resources.

Azerbaijan's water resources largely consist of international rivers such as the Aras River, the Kura River and their tributaries. These rivers meet a significant part of the country's water needs. However, due to disputes over sharing water resources with neighboring countries and the impact of climate change, the flow of these rivers is decreasing and Azerbaijan's water resources are gradually decreasing.

Agriculture constitutes an important part of the Azerbaijani economy and the problem of water scarcity negatively affects agricultural production. While the amount of water used for irrigation increases, the productivity of agricultural lands decreases due to the decrease in water resources. This situation threatens the livelihoods of those working in the agricultural sector.

Water scarcity affects not only agriculture but also industrial and urban areas of Azerbaijan. As water demand increases in industry and cities, limited water resources come under even more pressure. This situation increases the importance of water management practices such as using water more effectively and recycling water.

The Azerbaijani government has developed various policies and projects to manage water resources sustainably. These include measures such as using water effectively, modernizing irrigation techniques, and developing infrastructure for water purification and recycling. In addition, negotiations with other countries on international cooperation and sharing of water resources also have an important place.

However, the problem of water scarcity still persists and more efforts are needed to solve it. Azerbaijan needs to develop long-term strategies to protect and sustainably manage its water resources. This means that both the government and society must understand the importance of water resources and act accordingly.

Water scarcity is a serious problem in Azerbaijan and a major environmental and economic threat facing the country. However, with appropriate policies and practices, it is possible to overcome this problem. Azerbaijan's efforts to protect and sustainably manage its water resources are vital for the future of both the country and the region.